Police authorities in Lagos State said it has concluded plans to commence massive arrest of unlawful commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders in the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, said the arrests will commence from June 15.

He also warned that the police would not only arrest unruly commercial motorcyclists but ensure that they face the full wrath of the law.

According to the CP, the new enforcement is coming in view of the incident which occurred on May 30, where some commercial motorcyclists, attempted to burn Ibeshe Police Post but ended up burning a police patrol vehicle stationed at a black spot in the town.

The Police had earlier briefed commercial motorcyclists about this new enforcement, in a meeting.

The Police spokesperson in the state, Chike Oti, on Sunday said the meeting was attended by Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos state (MOALS), Nagari Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NAMORA) and Okada Riders Welfare Association (ORWA).

During the meeting, the CP decried the attitude of some commercial motorcyclists who attacked members of the public or constituted authorities at the slightest disagreement.

Five resolutions were reached at the end of the meeting which would take effect from Friday, June 15.

“From June 15, any motorcycle without licence plate number will be impounded. All commercial motorcycle operators are restricted from plying the highways and the bridges.

“Every commercial motorcycle operator must register with any of the approved unions for accountability and easy identification.

“Every commercial motorcycle operator must wear an apron which must indicate the union he belongs and bear boldly, his identification number,” Oti listed the resolutions.

A joint task force, comprising the police, the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and members of the motorcycle unions has also been set up to oversee the implementation of the resolution reached and the enforcement of the Lagos State traffic laws.